Job Details

Salary: $15.23 – $17.13 per hour
Posted: October 21, 2025
Category: Culinary Arts

Position Title:

Culinary Lab Assistant

Department:

Culinary Arts – City Center Campus

Division: Academic Affairs
Classification: Non-exempt
Union: Non-union
Reports To: Chef Instructor assigned to lab class
Placement: Support Staff, Grade H2
Hiring Range: $15.23 – $17.13 per hour

Position Summary:

The Culinary Lab Assistant supports instructional faculty and students in the Culinary Arts Program by assisting with lab operations, equipment use, and food production activities. The position also contributes to recruitment efforts and ensures adherence to sanitation and safety standards.

Joliet Junior College values diversity in its student and staff community and encourages applications from individuals who can enhance the diversity and inclusivity of its workforce.

Essential Job Duties and Key Responsibilities:

1. Meet with instructors to review special requirements for lab sessions.

2. Assist students with menu production and ensure product quality.

3. Monitor proper use of recipes, cooking and baking procedures, and service skills.

4. Enforce and model sanitation best practices.

5. Report any misconduct or absences to the chef instructor.

6. Supervise food storage areas to ensure proper handling and minimal waste.

7. Guide students in proper knife skills, terminology, and culinary techniques.

8. Foster a positive, supportive learning environment.

9. Participate in recruitment activities such as high school visits and career fairs.

10. Serve as a teaching assistant when required.

11. Support daily cooking and food production lessons.

12. Assist in supervising student workers as needed.

13. Inspect student workstations and dismiss students after lab cleanup.

14. Maintain readiness for health department inspections.

15. Assist instructors with inventory management and supply orders.

16. Develop and maintain production sheets for each class.

17. Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

1. Completion of at least one year of Culinary Arts lab coursework with a grade of “B” or higher.

2. Strong communication skills with students, faculty, and foodservice staff.

3. Demonstrated motivation, patience, problem-solving ability, and accountability.

4. Recommendation from a chef or lab instructor.

5. Ability to work flexible hours based on scheduled lab times.

6. Proven ability to work effectively and collaboratively with a diverse community, showing cultural competence and emotional intelligence.

7. Commitment to Joliet Junior College’s core values: respect and inclusion, sustainability, integrity, collaboration, humor and well-being, innovation, and quality.

Preferred Qualifications:

1. Bilingual proficiency in English and Spanish (verbal and written).

2. Demonstrated multicultural competence.

Physical Demands:

• Must meet standard culinary lab physical requirements.

• Completion of a physical examination is required.

• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs.

• Capability to stand for extended periods.

• Regular use of culinary lab equipment.

Work Schedule:

This is a student employee position that accommodates your class schedule.

• Up to 20 hours per week during fall and spring semesters.

• Up to 28 hours per week during summer and holiday breaks (with supervisor approval).

Benefits:

For details, visit the JJC Benefits page:
Non-Union Support Staff, Professional, Administrative Benefits

Employment Type:

Part-Time

Scheduled Hours: Up to 28 per week

Equal Opportunity Statement:

Joliet Junior College is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, disability, military status, or any other protected category.